Page 75 of Steal My Heart (Prosperity Ranch 2)

“Your resume is impressive,” Mr. Glen said, pushing up his glasses once again, then peering at her. “And you graduate in a couple of months?”

“Yes,” Evie said, trying to tell herself to stop wringing her hands, or the director would notice.

Mr. Glen was the director of the graphics department for the San Antonio Daily News. It was early afternoon, and she’d spent the weekend working on some graphic mockups for the newspaper’s website. She wasn’t sure if she’d hand them over yet, but Mr. Glen had been a lot more responsive during her interview than she’d expected. Was this how he’d been with all the interviewees, though?

She knew that working for this company would be a dream come true, and her nerves were jumping all over the place because Mr. Glen seemed to genuinely be impressed.

Taking a deep breath, she reached for her computer bag and pulled out the portfolio she’d custom-made for the newspaper. Taking the design they already had on their website, which could frankly use an overhaul, she had upgraded and updated. Made it look more fresh and eye-catching. She’d printed out the new graphic designs, and now, she hoped she wasn’t being too presumptuous.

But what better way to show her ideas than to use them on the existing newspaper?

“I brought some samples of my work,” she said. “If you’re interested, that is.”

Mr. Glen’s brows raised. “Let me see.”

So she handed over the manila folder and watched as he lifted the cover.

He gazed at the first graphic.

Evie’s heart thumped with nerves. She’d shown the graphics to Carson right before her interview, and he’d loved him. But he was her . . . boyfriend? She was pretty sure they were officially in that category now, and it made her heart sing. Although, she still didn’t know how they’d make a long-distance relationship work. There was no way she’d let him turn down his grandad.

Mr. Glen turned the next page of her portfolio. “You’ve revamped our existing designs.”

“Just as a demonstration,” she said. “I wanted to give you specific examples for your newspaper.”

Mr. Glen nodded and flipped through the rest of the graphics. Then he went through them again, more slowly this time. “Do you mind if I hang onto this, Ms. Prosper?” he asked. “We have a staff meeting this afternoon, and I’d like to present these.”

Evie’s mouth nearly dropped open. “You do? I mean, that’s great. Sure, I have no problem with you showing them to the staff, if you think they might be interesting enough.”

Mr. Glen closed the top cover of the folder. “They’re excellent, and I must say, skipping any formalities, I’d like to offer you the position. Provided you can start as soon as possible after graduation. I’d love you to begin part-time as soon as you can, until you’re able to go full-time.”

Evie could only stare. He was offering her the job. Right now? “Oh, wow, thank you,” she breathed. “What about the current person working in the position? Are they . . .”

“He’s already on a leave of absence and won’t be returning,” Mr. Glen said. “I didn’t post this in the job ad, but the opening is immediate. If you could check your schedule and get back to me by the end of the day and let me know what hours you can start working, that would be great. I can have you meet with HR tomorrow to get the paperwork started.”

Evie nodded, as if she were following their conversation, although her mind was whirling. She had the job. The one that she’d only hoped for. “All right. I’ll check my schedule, and, uh, call you? Or should I email?”

Mr. Glen shuffled around in one of his drawers, then handed over a business card. “This is my direct line. Leave a detailed message if I don’t answer.”

Evie’s hands were shaking by the time she walked out of the director’s office. She continued down the hallway, passing other offices, and her heart rate skipped with each footstep. She’d been offered the job. Her chest expanded, and she felt both elated and nervous.

Mr. Glen had seemed so impressed that maybe it was too good to be true. Maybe the other staff members wouldn’t be as impressed. Still . . .

She pushed through the double doors of the building leading outside. Her pace only quickened when she saw Carson waiting for her by his truck, right where she’d left him. Although her car was now out of the shop, he’d offered to drive her, and she’d accepted.

No cowboy hat or boots today—he was back to looking like the typical college student. Well, there was there was nothing typical about Carson Hunt. He looked all hunky, with his broad shoulders and rolled-up sleeves exposing his sculpted forearms.

He was leaning against his truck, his eyes on his phone, but he looked up as she neared.

And she couldn’t help but grin.

He pocketed his phone and straightened to his full height as he scanned her, his dark eyes on hers. His brows lifted, but before he could ask how her interview went, she threw her arms about his neck.

Carson chuckled and drew her close. “That good, huh?”

“They offered me the job on the spot,” she breathed against his warm neck.

“Wow,” he murmured. “But I’m not surprised, sweetness. Did you show them your sample designs?”

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